As 2018 dawns, Spurs’ Leonard still looking for footing

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket between Langston Galloway #9 and Reggie Bullock #25 of the Detroit Pistons in the first half of an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on December 30, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. less

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket between Langston Galloway #9 and Reggie Bullock #25 of the Detroit Pistons in the first half of an NBA game at Little ... more

Photo: Dave Reginek, Getty Images

Image 2 of 6

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 30: Reggie Bullock #25 of the Detroit Pistons defends against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on December 30, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. less

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 30: Reggie Bullock #25 of the Detroit Pistons defends against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on December 30, 2017 in ... more

Photo: Dave Reginek, Getty Images

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DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 30: Tobias Harris #34 of the Detroit Pistons defends against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on December 30, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. less

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 30: Tobias Harris #34 of the Detroit Pistons defends against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA game at Little Caesars Arena on December 30, 2017 in ... more

NEW YORK — Gregg Popovich’s basketball-based resolution for 2018 is largely out of his control.

He, like everyone else with a vested interest in the Spurs winning games, would like to see All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard able to play more minutes.

“I don’t want to play him 15 for the rest of his career,” Popovich said. “Somehow I’m a better coach when he plays more minutes.”

Barring something unforeseen and catastrophic, that resolution will take care of itself organically.

The process of getting Leonard on the floor after an offseason battle with right quadriceps tendinopathy was a lengthy one.

It was Dec. 12 before Leonard made his season debut.

He has appeared in six games since, none on fewer than two days rest. He has yet to reach the 30-minute mark in a game.

It is part of a return from injury protocol that is both necessary and frustrating for all involved.

“It’s a work in progress,” guard Manu Ginobili said. “We always said it’s going to take time, and it is taking time. The good thing is he’s playing. He’s not in pain.”

The Spurs open the 2018 portion of their schedule Tuesday in New York, then head to Philadelphia for a game against the 76ers on Wednesday.

At this point, it is unlikely Leonard appears in both games.

Leonard, 26, said he understands the purpose of the protocol. He just doesn’t have to like it.

“It’s a gradual process,” Leonard said. “I’m just taking it slow and trying not to skip any steps so I can be healthy down the road.”

Still, Leonard acknowledges the start-and-stop nature of his comeback has made it difficult for him to find a groove.

He had his best game of the season with 21 points in a Dec. 26 victory over Brooklyn.

He sat out two nights later when the Knicks visited the AT&T Center, then returned to the floor for Saturday’s 93-79 loss at Detroit.

Leonard found his way to 18 points against the Pistons, going 9 of 9 from the foul line, but missed seven of 11 field goals and gagged up a team-high four turnovers.

He also logged 28 minutes, his highest total of the season.

In a sense, it is taking Leonard time to remember how to play NBA basketball again.

Asked what has been the hardest thing to regain after a seven-month layoff, Leonard’s answer was all-encompassing.

“Just everything,” he said. “Your wind, some play calls, knowing the guys on the floor, chemistry, defensive rotations. I wouldn’t say that I’m 100 percent yet.”

Popovich can sense as much with every minute Leonard is on the court.

“He’s trying to get it back,” Popovich said. “He’s trying to dust off the rust as much as he can.”

Per 36 minutes, Leonard’s numbers aren’t far off from the usual.

He is averaging 23.9 points per 36 minutes, down from the 27.5 he logged last season but up from the 2015-16 campaign in which he finished a runner-up to Golden State’s Stephen Curry in the league MVP race.

He is averaging more rebounds per 36 minutes than he did last season and more blocks per 36 minutes than at any point in his career.

Unsurprisingly, the return of a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year has been a boon on that side of the floor.

In the 122 minutes Leonard has played this season, the Spurs are allowing 94.9 points per 100 possessions, a defensive rating that would lead the league.

The Spurs’ offense hasn’t clicked as well with Leonard in the game. In those same 122 minutes, the Spurs are averaging 94.6 points per 100 possessions, an offensive rating that would be the NBA’s worst.

Put the two together, and the Spurs are 2-4 this season with their best player available.

Leonard’s teammates can sympathize with his season-long frustration.

“It’s hard, not playing every game or the minutes you want to play,” guard Danny Green said. “We’re just happy to have him. If he’s healthy and playing, he’s going to help us.”

There are signs Leonard is not far off.

Saturday in Detroit, Leonard willed his way to eight consecutive second-quarter points to power a Spurs rally.

“We need him to get as close to the way he felt last year as possible,” Ginobili said. “He’s a very important player for our team. We played (27) games without him. The adjustment is not that easy.”

Leonard remains confident this will all come back to him, slowly but surely.

Like most new year’s resolutions, the success of his comeback won’t be truly measured until April or May.